Breastfeeding has long been believed to hold a lot of health benefits for infants. And at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry, we want to offer our support to moms who choose to breastfeed but are struggling with breastfeeding success. One of the many reasons that your baby may be struggling with the proper breastfeeding latch can be because of tongue-tie. 

Thankfully, we can help. With a simple laser tongue-tie treatment, your baby may be able to start nursing as soon as the treatment is over. Read on to learn more about what it means to have a tongue-tied baby.

What is tongue-tie in infants?

Though the numbers can clearly vary, an estimated 15% of babies are born with a condition known as ankyloglossia. This is simply the medical term for tongue-tie. It’s a condition where the tissue beneath the baby’s tongue is unusually tight or short, limiting its movement toward the floor of the mouth.

This can restrict the movement of the tongue, making it hard for the baby to latch properly during breastfeeding. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, tongue-tie can sometimes run in families or be related to certain genetic factors. This condition can affect feeding, speech development, and even oral hygiene down the road.

Here are some common signs and symptoms to watch for in newborns:

• Difficulty latching during breastfeeding
• Clicking sounds while nursing
• Irritability during or after feedings
• Poor weight gain
• Short feeding sessions or prolonged nursing
• A tongue that appears heart-shaped or doesn’t move freely

If you notice any of these signs, a simple laser procedure could help resolve the issue and improve your baby’s feeding experience.

How a tongue-tie affects breastfeeding.

About 75% of moms start breastfeeding when their baby is born. Unfortunately, many feel the need to transition to bottles due to the challenges they face when trying to get their baby to latch, and a tongue-tie can impede breastfeeding success.

When a baby can’t latch well, it affects the supply and demand cycle necessary for maintaining a healthy milk supply. As a result, moms may experience low milk supply because the baby isn’t feeding effectively. On top of that, poor latching can cause significant discomfort for moms, including sore or cracked nipples, which can make breastfeeding painful. 

In some cases, engorged breasts or even mastitis may develop due to the baby’s inability to drain the breast properly during feeding. These challenges can lead many moms to feel discouraged and consider switching to bottles, but treatment for tongue-tie can make a huge difference.

Laser Dentistry as a Solution

We know what you want to ask, but are afraid to raise your hand—how can a dentist help with breastfeeding a tongue-tied baby? We’re so glad you asked! The answer is simple.

Dentists, especially pediatric dentists, are trained to identify and treat tongue-tie in infants through a quick and effective procedure known as a laser frenectomy. This is where laser dentistry comes in. The laser tongue-tie treatment involves gently releasing the tight or restrictive tissue under the tongue. The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and often requires little to no anesthesia.

The best part is that a laser frenectomy typically allows your baby to start breastfeeding right away after the treatment, often with immediate improvement in latch and feeding. By choosing this laser tongue tie treatment, you can reduce the challenges you face as a breastfeeding mom. 

Pediatric dentists like the ones at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry specialize in making this process as comfortable and stress-free as possible for both you and your baby.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

At Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry, we agree with a parent’s right to choose the best way to feed their infant. However, we believe that breastfeeding is an excellent choice, and not just for the nutrition and bonding that it provides.

Studies have shown that babies exclusively breastfed for the first six months are less likely to develop teeth alignment issues like openbites, crossbites, and overbites. Additionally, breastfeeding helps your baby’s body fight infections and reduces the risk of conditions, such as asthma, ear infections, SIDS, and childhood obesity. Nursing also offers long-term benefits for moms, potentially lowering their chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer. So, while it’s a personal decision, breastfeeding can also contribute to your baby’s early dental development.

Treatment and Support for Your Tongue-Tied Baby

Does breastfeeding hurt? Does your baby struggle to get a proper breastfeeding latch? Do you want to experience the benefits of breastfeeding, but it doesn’t seem to be working? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may want to have your baby assessed for ankyloglossia.

And, if we determine that your child needs a frenectomy, we can take care of it right in the office. In most cases, you can attempt a latch with your baby right after the procedure. To seek treatment for your baby’s tongue-tie, please request an appointment with your pediatric dentist in Salem, Oregon.